Overview
Back in 2006, 11-part documentary series Planet Earth combined stunning high-definition images of this place we all call home with David Attenborough's inimitable narration. Then, in 2016, the show's six-part sequel Planet Earth II arrived, doing the same thing as well. A third program, Planet Earth III, is slated to join them soon — reportedly in 2023, in fact — because no one can ever get enough of the iconic broadcaster and natural historian. But that isn't the only one of his projects that's returning to screens in the near future, and neither is Prehistoric Planet's previously announced second season.
The other: Our Planet II, a followup to 2019's Our Planet, which also explores our pale blue dot. Despite the name, it isn't related to BBC's Planet shows — which also include The Blue Planet and Frozen Planet — but it does still feature Attenborough's informative tones.
In its first go-around, Our Planet tasked Attenborough with talking viewers through the planet's remaining wilderness areas and their animal inhabitants. The series was made in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, which meant plenty of astonishing and majestic critters scurrying across the screen. It was filmed in 50 countries across all the continents of the world, heading everywhere from the remote Arctic wilderness to the South American jungles — and to sprawling African landscapes and the depths of the ocean as well.
Expect a heap more jaw-dropping imagery — and amazing animals as well — in Our Planet II, which will make its way to Netflix on Wednesday, June 14. This time around, it'll unfurl its wonders across four episodes, highlighting everything from penguins and polar bears to lions and elephants. The just-dropped first teaser trailer also features birds, turtles, seals, whales, fish and insects, because our planet boasts quite the range of species.
Fans can also look forward to more nature shows hitting Netflix in the future, as part of a broader series that includes 2022's Morgan Freeman-narrated Our Universe. Also set to arrive in 2023, Life on Our Planet heads back in time, also features Freeman's voiceover and shows dinosaurs just as Attenborough's Prehistoric Planet (which streams via Apple TV+) does.
Then, in 2024, Our Oceans will dive into the deep blue sea, while Our Living World is all about earth's life-sustaining natural networks. And, come 2025, Our Water World will hone in on freshwater systems.
Check out the first Our Planet II trailer below:
Our Planet II streams via on Netflix from Wednesday, June 14.
Images: Ed Charles / John Haskew / Netflix